Object holding mechanism for grinding machines



March 27, 1951 R. R. HEAD 2,546,504

OBJECT HOLDING MECHANISM FOR GRINDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 11mm L-zwmlm F/G. 2. W A a March 27, 1951 R. R. HEAD 2,546,504

OBJECT HOLDING MECHANISM FOR GRINDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M K AM March 27, 1951 HEAD 2,546,504

OBJECT HOLDING MECHANISM FOR GRINDING MACHINES Filed Nov'. 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 27, 1951 OBJECT HOLDING MECHANISM'FOR GRINDING MACHINES;

Robert R. Head, Boulder, 0910.

Application. November 15, 19.46; Serial- N0. 710,167;

8 Claims.

This inventionrelates to object holding-mecha- I, nismspfor grinding machines, more particularly automatic grinding:.machines.

In-the grinding of objects, such as fittings, the; grinding operation or. operations. may be carried out automatically by feeding the objects, in; turn,- to; a.v plurality of fitting holding. mechanisms, mounted -,on aflywheel or-thelike; so as to be movable about a predetermined path. Such fitting holding mechanisms: may comprise. a. pair of. jaws, which... are opened tograsp the object, and remain closed while -the:object is carriedpast one or-more' rotatinggrinding wheels, which .en: gage the; surfaceseto be ground and .reducecertainaportions of the article. to the desired'.dimensions.v The object-holding mechanisms: may be. associated with actuating means,.such asa stationary cam mounted centrally withrespect to the flywheel, but having eccentricv portions which areadapted. to move a. cam followerginwardly and outwardly, the latter being connected withi one'or both jaws, to open and closethe jawsati appropriate times; The-objects, such as fittings, may: be fed to the jaws either automatically. or." non-automatically,- and when the jaws-closeon the object, the object is, of course, carried'away. from th'e feeding point. The jaws remain" closed; on the objectuntil after grinding, whereupon the jaws may be opened byanother eccentric por-i tion-of the' cam, sothat the object-will be discharged. By mounting a plurality of holding mechanisms, as about the periphery of afi'ywheel, aalarge number of objects can be handled in'a=- relatively short time. However, if any dimculty; is experienced in-the closing of the jawston-the objects; or in the feeding of the objects tothe jaws, then the benefits: of automatic operation are considerably reduced, due either'to objects being-missed by-the jaws, orv rejections for mac-'- curate: grinding: caused" by inaccurate clamping ofithe'object.

If the jaws are arranged'so that theob'j ect musta be fed radially: between the jaws; the distance the objectmust travel in movingbetween the j aws is'oftenwtoo greatstoxpermit rotation of. the holding mechanisms at! more than airelativelyzslowz speed; while if the;.:ja.ws closeradially, it .iscften difficult to;m0.ve.-the jaws-i apart-1a suffi'cient dis-- 13211166: to 1- receive the: object":quickly; and: also to' discharge the; object quickly. Furthermore,.. the objectf;must'be...h.e1d very =firmly during grinding, and; one-of the jaws is thus preferably stationary" with; respect .to its support, i. e; v.the ;rotatingifiytwheel" or; theglike. When; the;movablecjawa-v must openisufiiciently to; receive:- and dischargezthes'obe 21 ject, the;time .consumed in the :closing movementsometimes permitstheiobjecttodrop or. to.-beco me* misaligned; or; otherwise; held inaccurately; as; soon as it leaves thefeeding point.

Among; the objects: of; this invention. are; to; providega novel objectiholding mechanism for a v grinding machine, particularly an automatic: grindingmachine; ;to-providessuch an;obj ectiholding mechanism which iswparticularly adapted to carry smallfittingsorathelike .around' fromafeedf point past. .one. 101 more :grinding wheels "and then discharge the same; tovprovidesuchan object? holding mechanism which 1 will close .quickly on: the object',.andithereby reduce to a .minimumnthe; possibility of the vmechanism-if ailing {to grasp the object at the a feeding-point, or holding. the ob-'- ject inaccuratelyy to" provide such an object" holding mechanism which is capable of both re ceiving and discharging the object relativelyfi quickly; so that-the grinding machine may be run" at a sufficiently: higlrx speedto be economically desirable;- to provide such an object' holding. mechanism which is" quickly and surely actuated; as through a cam and cam follower; and'to provide such an: ob'ject holding mechanism which may be made in various sizes, or-toaccommodata various object shapes;

Additional objects and the novel features'ofi' this invention will become evident fromthede scription which-follows, taken inconneotion with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. lisa top plan view ofa grinding machinewhich may -'be provided'* with a plurality of object holding mechanismsconstructed in accord ance with this invention;

Fig. 2"is-a side elevation of the grinding ma-- chine ofFig; 1';

Fig. 3 is an exploded'isometric view of the object holding mechanism;

Fig; 4" is an isometric-view'of 'theobject hold ingmechanism in open position, certain parts thereofbeing omitted and others'being shownin section for clarity-of illustration; and

Fig. 5 is asimilar isometric view of the object" holding mechanism in closed position:

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 20f the drawings, 7 a J plurality of "ob'j ectholding 'mechanismsof thisinvention may form a part-of grindingymechanism which-includes a- -flywheel i mounted on and rotatedbya shaft 1. A" stationarycam 2 is: mounted'alongside the fiywheel I, as on a support: 12; so as to actuate a plura'lity otobjectholding' mechanisms 6; suchas: four: in number (onlyone" being shown, in; Fig: 2 which. are .bolted-v or.

otherwisesecuredzto the-fiywheelrl; The flywheel:

I is preferably rotated at a constant speed, and the configuration of cam 2 is such that, when an object holding mechanism 6 is in the dotted position of Fig. 2, it will be open and adapted to receive an object to be ground, such as a fitting, from a feed device II. The holding mechanism 6 then closes on the fitting, as it passes the fall at the top of cam 2, and carries it away from the feed device II, as to the full position of Fig. 2. The fitting is then carried around past suitable grinding devices, such as emery wheels 3, 4 and 5, respectively, after which the holding mechanism B is opened by the rise at the bottom of cam 2, and the ground fitting is discharged, as by centrifugal force, or a combination of gravity and centrifugal force. The grinding devices may be disposed in positions suitable for .theobject being ground, such as a pair of emery wheels. 3 mounted on a shaft 8, a pair of emery wheels 55 mounted on a shaft 9, and a single emery wheel 4 mounted on a shaft In. The shafts 8, 9 and H]; as well as the flywheel shaft 1, may be driven at suitable speeds by a motor, or pulley and belt arrangements or the like, which, along with the means for supporting the shafts I, 8, 9 and ID for rotation, may be conventional and therefore are not shown.

As illustrated more clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the object holding mechanism 6 constructed in accordance with this invention may comprise a movable jaw 6d, a stationary jaw 6e, and a fitting supporter or auxiliary jaw 6h. Where the fitting or other'object to be held has a portion of circular cross section, the stationary jaw fie may have a corresponding contour, while the movable jaw 6d may be fork shaped, and also provided with a contour similar to the portion of the ob ject engaged thereby. In the embodiment shown, the movable jaw Ed is adapted to be moved radially inwardlytoward the fixed jaw, but other directions of relative movement between the two jaws may be utilized. Also, all of the relative movement between the two jaws is not necessarily that of one jaw only.

When' the holding mechanism 6 approaches the feed device II, it is necessary for the twojaws to be positioned so that thereis suifioient space therebetween for the object to enter, after which the jaws may be closed on the object. If the closing movement of the jaws is laterally, i. e. tangential to the periphery of the flywheel l, it would be necessary for the feed device to push the object into position between the jaws. However, with the relative movement of the two jaws in a radial direction, i. e. when a movable jaw is moved radially inwardly, the holding mechanism may merely, as it were, pluck the fitting fromthe;

feed device. Since the peripheral speed of the flywheel I has to be sufficient-to enable-a relatively large number of objects to be ground within a sufficiently short period of time that automatic operation of the grinding mechanism will be rapid enough to be economical, the time interval in which the holding mechanism must grasp the object, as it leaves the feed device, is comparatively short. Due to the inertia of moving parts, there is a limitation upon the distance which a movablejaw can .move in-closing'upon an object, unless the jaw is closed by relatively heavy springs, or the like, but the latter increases the difficulty with which the jaw can be moved to open position, and thereby increases the difiiculties in adequately discharging the object after grinding, not to mention the possibility of undue wear on cams. cam'rollers or cam followers and of the same are possible.

the like, due to exceedingly heavy spring pressure.

In accordance with the present invention, the relative distance which the two jaws are required to move, for closing upon an object, and also discharging the same, is materially reduced by the fitting supporter or auxiliary jaw 6h. This auxiliary jaw 5h, as in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, is preferably mounted for sliding movement in the fixed jaw 6e, although other positions and arrangements In addition, the supporter or auxiliary jaw th is actuated simultaneously with actuation of the movable jaw ed, as by a lever system 6f, which connects the auxiliary jaw 6h with a bar or rod 60, on the outer end of which the movable jaw lid is mounted. The lever system 6) may be pivoted on a pin 6g, which extends through suitable holes, provided for the purpose in fixed jaw Be, or in any other desired portion of the holding mechanism. Fixed jaw 6e may also be provided with a longitudinal slot to accommodate supporter 6h and a lateral slot to accommodate lever system 6]. As will be evident, when the movable jaw Ed is in extended or open position, as in Fig. 4, the fitting supporter or auxiliary jaw 6h is retracted within the stationary jaw 6e. Thus, the supporter or auxiliary jaw 6h enlarges the space between the jaws for ingress or egress of the object, both when the jaws are opened to receive the object and when the jaws are opened to discharge the object. Again, when the movable jaw 6d is in retracted or closed position, as in Fig. 5, the fitting supporter or auxiliary jaw 672 is in extended position, closing the gap between the end of the movable jaw 6d and the stationary jaw 6e, so that the fitting will be held securely by the jaws, and will not tend to be dislodged therefrom, during movement past the grinding wheels.

The jaws 6d and 6e may be mounted in or on the two halves 67c and 61' of the base or jaw support of the holding mechanism, each half of the base being provided with a suitable groove or aperture to accommodate the rod 60, and also a spring 6b and collar or washer 62' associated therewith. The two halves of the base may be I bolted or otherwise secured together, and also bolted or otherwise secured to the flywheel l. The outer portion of the rod or bar to may be rectangular in cross section, so as to maintain the mov-' able jaw Ed in alignment, while the bar 60 is moved back and forth in the slot. The inner portion of the rod 60 may be round, and the inner end provided with a fork which carries a cam engaging roller 611. Spring 61), which surrounds the inner portion of the rod 60 and bears at one end against a shoulder formed on the rod, which also acts as a stop to limit inward movement of rod 6c; bears at the opposite end against a washerfitj which holds the cam roller 6a against the cam atall times, and also holds the movable jaw'fid in closed position. However, since the auxiliary jaw 6h cooperates with the jaws 6d and Be in holding the object, the spring 6b need not be nearly as strong as if it were depended upon to close the jaw 6d with considerable rapidity.

.As' will be evident, the object holding mechanism of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbeiore set jec and assists in securely holding the object diii'irigthe grindinggoperationa Asrindicatedjpree viously, whileetheeauxiliary -j aw isqshown as v b'eing movable-: with respect toa: stationary-jaw; it will be undrstood that eac-h 'of the-principal j aws may be -moved, and-also that the =fitting suppo1'ter or. auxiliary jaw mav beactuated in a manner other than by a'linkage'mechanism from amovable jaw: Thus;- while-the actuation of the auxiliary: jaw; from-the movable jaw is highly desirable, in some:- instances it may be desired to "actuate the aux il iary' jaw independently :of: the movable: j aw; as bY'itSfOWIl oam and lever, but'zin manydnstan'ces, aeconstruction operating-similarly-to'tliepreferred; embodiment will be more desirable,

Itj-"willibe understood, of "course; that-eiobjects having different -shapes from the ,fittin'gsg shown' hereinmay-b'e groundby th'ense ofiobject holding; mechanism: constructed inziaccordance with-this invention, and that the size, as well asathesh'ape and-configuration of :such objects, may vary considerably. Also, while a preferred embodiment of this invention-has been illustrated and described, itvwill be understood that otheriembodiments may exist, and that various changes may be made, all without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

What'is claimed is:

1; An object-holding mechanism for-grinding operations;- comprisi-ng a support" capable of being attached to another-element; a stationary jaw attached to-said support; a movable jawelement consistin of a fittingholding-jaw, an attached rod 'elernentenclosed i in said-support, a camwfollower; av resilient element 'holding said movable jaw-closed, and a stopmeans limiting the position offthe movable jaw element in. its nominal-or closedjposition; and an object-supporter supported bysaid-stationary jaw and actuatedbythe motion of the movable jaw-through"- aalink element, said link element consisting: of: threelzlinks and rods and attached Y to said movable jaw:'and saidsupporter;

2;" An object-holding mechanismlfor a'igrinding machine-r having a rotating flywheel and'a stationary cam; comprising a-supportmapable 'oiUbeing' attacl'ied to said flywheel iandiformed .in :two halves; :an' inner stationary j aw: attached-to said support and: having a guideway: therein and. a portion contoured to the object :to be held; an outer movable jaw. also having a": portion contoured to, the. object..to be held? andmovable radially: with'zrespect to 1 said flywheel and there;- By movable inwardly. and outwardly withrirespect to said stationaryjaw; arod element carryingcat its outer end said movable jaw, and at its inner end a cam follower, said rod having a stop and said support halves having grooves t accommodate said rod; a spring and bearing washer surroundin said rod in said grooves, said spring bearing at one end against said stop and at the opposite, end against said washer, said spring tending .to hold said movable jaw closed; an auxiliary jaw slidably mounted in saidstationary jaw for extension therefrom and retraction thereinto; and a link element consisting of three links and rods and attached at one end to said movable jaw rod and at the other end to said auxiliary jaw, whereby said auxiliar jaw will enlarge the space between said jaws available for the ingress or egress of an object when said jaws are opened to receive ,said object and also when said jaws are openedto discharge said objectfsaid auxiliary jaw also being adapted to engage said object to hold said object between said jaws when said jaws are closed.

3. An object holding mechanism for a grinding machines wherein. plurality; 015:? obleetst tor; be;

' groundiare 'fedito .azholding mechanismiadaptedi grasped; which: comprises the: combination 1 of as" pairot" jaws, movable-a'relatively tozzeach other; and adapted to grasp an objectth'erebetween when in closed position, said'jaws leaving awgap between'the ends-thereof when in closed-position and-a wider gap when in open position; said." wider, gap facing: in the general direction of: movement ofsaid h'olding; mechanism-so thatan, objeet will enter-through said wider; gap; anaob' ject supporter movable relatively to at leastxone oi said jaws and between extended and retracted; positions; said supporter in extendedpositiorl ehe gaging-said object atf-said gap with saidfijaws-inclosed" position; means supporting saidjaws and said objectsupporter in"operative position; means operatively connected to at "least oneof said -jawsfor moving at least onesof said jaws relativea to the other jaw, so asto open'and close said'jawsp and means operatively connected" to said 1% sup-=- porter for substantially simultaneously -"moving' said supporter toextended positionwhen said, jaws are closed and to retracted position-when said jaws are open, so' as to enlarge the space between said jaws available for the ingress Y or egress of an object when said jaws are-open.-

4'. Anobject holding mechanism for; a: grind ing-"machine; as defined in'-claim--3', wherein said object-supporter is mounted" for extension and retractionon one of said jaws:

5; An object' holding mechanismfora grind?" ing-machine; as defined in claim 3 wherein-said 1 object supporter-is mounted for slidingmovement oironeof said jaws: 1

6-5 An object holding -mechanism=f0r=a-- grind ing machine wherein a plurality -o-fobjects' to be ground are fed to-a holding mechanism adapted to'grasp each suchobject in turn; move said'ob' ject= past grinding means; and thendischarge said object; said" object holding'mechan'ism being -moved along apath intersecting an obj ect to be grasped; which comprises the combination" of a first and second jaw, movablerelatively'to each other in a" direction transverse tothe direction of movement of" saidholding mechanism; and adapted to grasp an object therebetween-whenin closed position; said-jaws leaving a gapbetween the ends thereof when inclosedpositionanda wider gap when inopen position; said widrgap facing in the general direction of movement of said holding mechanism so that an object will enter through said wider gap; an object supporter movable relatively to said first jaw between extended and retracted positions, said supporter in extended position engaging said object at said gap with said jaws in closed position; means supporting said jaws and said object supporter in operative position; means operatively connected thereto for moving said second jaw relative to said first jaw, so as to open and close said jaws; and means operatively connected to said supporter for substantially simultaneously moving said supporter with respect to said first jaw to extended position when'said jaws are closed and to retracted position when said jaws are open.

7. An object holding mechanism, for a grinding machine wherein a plurality of objects to be ground are fed to a holding mechanism adapted to grasp each such object in turn, move said object past grinding means, and then discharge said 7 object, 'zsaid object 'holding. mechanism being moved along a path intersecting an object to be grasped,- which comprises the combination of a pair of jaws, movable relatively to each other in 8 direction transverse to the direction of movement of said holding mechanism, and adapted to grasp an object therebetween when in closed position, said jawsleaving a gap between the ends thereof when in closed position and a wider gap when in open position, said .wider gap facing in the general direction of movement of said holding mechanism so that an object will enter through said wider gap; means supporting said jaws in operativeposition; an object supporter mounted on one of said jaws and movable relatively thereto between extended and retracted positions, said supporter in extended position engaging said object at said gap with said jaws in closed position; means operatively connected thereto for moving at least one of said jaws relative to the other jaw, so as to open and close said jaws; and means operatively connected to said supporter and. actuated by said jaw moving means for substantially simultaneously moving said supporter with respect to the jaw on which said supporter is mounted, to extended position when said jaws are closed and to retracted position when said jaws are open.

8. An object holding mechanism, for a grinding machine wherein a plurality of objects to be ground are fed to a holding mechanism adapted to grasp each such object in turn, move said object past grinding means, and then discharge said object, said grinding machine including a plurality of holding mechanisms and means for actuating the same and for moving the same along a path intersecting successive objects to be grasped, such object holding mechanism comprising the combination of an inner jaw, an outer jaw and an object supporter; means supporting said jaws and said object supporter in operative position to receive, to hold, and to release an object to be ground, said inner jaw being stationary with respect to said supporting means; said outer jaw being movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to said inner jaw, said jaws being adapted to grasp an object therebetween when in-closed position, said jaws leaving a gap between the ends thereof when in closed position and a wider gap when in open position, said wider gap facing in the general direction of movement of said holding mechanism so that an object will enter. through said wider gap; said object supporter being movable inwardly and outwardly with respect ;to said supporting means, -;between, an extended position in which said supportertends to close-said gap and also to engage an ob said outer jaw is moved outwardly, and moving said supporter outwardly when said outer jaw is moved inwardly, so as to enlarge the space be tween said jaws available for the ingress or egress of an object. i

ROBERT R. HEAD.

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